In a significant move, the Libyan parliament has demanded the departure of ambassadors from countries perceived as “supporting” Israel in its conflict with Hamas in Gaza. The targeted nations include the United States, Britain, France, and Italy. Since October 7, Israel has been conducting airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, with Israeli authorities claiming that the conflict has resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 1,400 lives, primarily civilians.According to the Palestinian health ministry in Gaza, the casualty figure is higher, reporting that over 6,500 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed due to Israel’s strikes.Backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar, the eastern-based Libyan parliament has issued a warning, threatening to cut energy supplies if what they term as “massacres” against Palestinians do not cease. They are also demanding the immediate departure of ambassadors from states supporting Israel. Additionally, they call on the Libyan government to suspend the export of oil and gas to these supporting nations if the perceived Israeli aggression continues.The parliament strongly denounces the actions of the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy, accusing them of supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza while advocating for human rights and self-determination.Since the fall of Moamer Kadhafi in 2011, Libya has been marked by internal conflict, resulting in the existence of two rival governing entities. The government based in Tripoli, led by Abdulhamid Dbeibah, is recognized by the United Nations, while authorities in Libya’s east are supported by Haftar, a military figure with ties to the Kadhafi-era regime.Libyan citizens have shown solidarity with Palestinians through rallies across the country, particularly following a deadly hospital explosion in Gaza on October 17. Hamas attributes this incident to Israel, while the Israeli military asserts it was caused by a misfired Palestinian rocket.This move by the Libyan parliament highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics surrounding the conflict in Gaza, with ripple effects reaching far beyond the region itself.
